Leslee Silverman 2002 Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction

Leslee Silverman, Artistic Director of the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, has been named the first recipient of the Manitoba Arts Council Arts Award of Distinction. This $30,000 award is presented annually to recognize the highest level of artistic excellence and distinguished career achievements by a professional Manitoba artist. “Manitoba boasts many exceptional artists and we were overwhelmed by the response to this new award,” says Dr. Judith Flynn, Chair of Council. “Selecting the artist to receive this award was certainly challenging, however, Leslee Silverman truly realizes the goals of this award. The jury was unanimous and highly enthusiastic in their decision.”

Leslee Silverman, actor, director and producer, has been the Artistic Director for MTYP since 1982.

Over two decades she has dedicated her career to redefining the theatre experience for young people to not only reflect but shape their lives. She is known for her unique artistic vision and her desire to collaborate with emerging artists from many disciplines and cultures. She has been highly instrumental in fostering the national and international reputation of MTYP and was pivotal in the development and construction of the CanWest Global Performing Arts Centre, MTYP’s home, a facility second to none in our country. Leslee Silverman has previously been honoured with the Governor-General’s Commemorative Medal and in 2001 she received the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the Arts and Culture category.

Dr. Flynn comments, “Leslee Silverman has already created a significant legacy for this province and we have no doubt she will continue to contribute to the development of the art form and the community for many years to come.” The Manitoba Arts Council will honour Leslee Silverman at a ceremony to be held later in March where she will be presented with her $30,000 Arts Award of Distinction, in recognition of the many significant and unique accomplishments in her career.

What is the difference between an arts council and an arts council? ‘Arts Council’ means different things when naming different types of organizations. There are, essentially, two types of arts councils whose activities are primarily different but complementary.

MAC uses the peer assessment process to award most grants. That means that qualified artists and arts professionals make the funding decisions. If you are a professional artist in Manitoba you can participate in this process. It’s a great way to serve the community and to get an inside perspective on how awards are made.

If you happen to be an artist or a member of an arts organization, you’ve most likely worked diligently on assembling a grant application, painstakingly double-checking that all requirements from the guidelines have been met. You’ve managed to submit your grant application by its program deadline date – so, what exactly happens during the wait-time between submitting a grant application and finding out whether it has been awarded or declined?